Ever wondered how to make pho at home? Here’s how!
**This post was updated in 2019
Yup. Still sick. I hate colds because nothing really cures them, you just gotta wait them out. I’ve been taking cold medicine to manage my symptoms, but I’m still very stuffy. When I’m sick, I just want soup. When I’m sick with a stuffy nose, I just want spicy soup.
How To Make Pho At Home
Pho has become kind of a trend in SoCal the last few years, but i’m not sure if people eat it everywhere. Pho (pronounced Fa) is a Vietnamese noodle soup that can be easy to make at home.
I whipped up some the other night, and finally got some relief from my congestion.
The reason I say “can be easy to make” is whether or not you’re interested in making your own stock. If you make your own Pho stock it can take up to 24 hours, but it is WORTH IT! I like to dedicate time to making stock, then keep it in the freezer for when I’m craving Pho.
If you’re looking for a shortcut, substitute 3 cups of beef stock, 1 1/2 cups of water and 3 Tablespoons of fish sauce for a quickie pho broth.
Once the stock is made it’s really just adding a bunch of stuff to a bowl and eating. That’s where the “easy” part of this recipe comes in. It’s super ideal when you’re feeling run down and can just reach into the freezer for the most flavorful, comforting meal ever.
If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to see it! Tag me @betsylife on Facebook or Instagram and I’ll share your creations!
Homemade Pho
Skip the expensive restaurants and food additives by learning how to make pho at home! This nourishing Vietnamese soup provides the benefits of bone broth, meat, and veggies in a simple meal. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners or nourishment while you're sick!
Ingredients
For the broth
- 8 pounds beef bones I used marrow bones
- 2 medium onions quartered
- 2 whole heads garlic halved
- 4 2-inch pieces ginger sliced
- 6 whole star anise
- 12 whole cloves
- 2 whole cinnamon sticks
- 2 black cardamom pods
- 2 tablespoon fennel seeds
- 2 tablespoon coriander seeds
- 2 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 cup fish sauce
- 3 tablespoon sugar
For the soup
- 1 pound sirloin beef very lean and trimmed of visible fat
- 1/4 pound Chinese or Vietnamese rice noodles
To Garnish
- 1 1/3 cups fresh bean sprouts
- 4 scallions thinly sliced
- 2 jalapeno very thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves or Thai basil coarsely chopped
- Asian hot-chile sauce
- fresh limes
Instructions
To make the broth
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Place the bones in a large stockpot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes before draining and rinsing the bones with water. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.
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Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Spread rinsed bones, onion, garlic, and ginger into an even layer in a roasting pan. (Use two pans if you cannot make an even layer in one) Roast for 60 minutes stirring once halfway through.
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As the bones are roasting, add all star anise, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom pods, coriander seeds, and fennel seeds to a large, dry skillet over low heat. Toast your spices, stirring often to prevent burning, until fragrant, approximately 5 minutes. Make a spice sachet by transfer to your cheesecloth and gathering at the top and tying with kitchen twine.
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Transfer the bones into a slow cooker. Scrape bits and juices remaining in the roasting pan into the pot with the bones. (*see note)
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Cover bones with water and add spice sachet, 1/2 cup fish sauce and 3 tablespoons sugar. Cook on low for 12-24 hours, occasionally skimming the fat and foam from the top of the pot. Add more water if the bones do not stay submerged.
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Strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer. At this point you can cool the broth completely, place in airtight containers and freeze for future use. Or, prepare the soup. (**see note)
Make the soup
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Wrap beef in plastic wrap, and place in the freezer for about 1 hour.
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Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with cold water; add rice noodles. Let soak until soft, about 30 minutes. Drain; set aside.
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Remove beef from freezer. Using a mandoline or a very sharp knife, slice beef into very thin (1/8 inch) strips.
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Divide noodles among six serving bowls, and arrange strips of meat over them. Bring stock to a boil if chilled. Pour boiling stock over meat and noodles, pushing beef into hot liquid so that it cooks. Arrange bean sprouts and other garnishes over beef and noodles; serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
If you don't want to take the time to make broth from scratch, you can substitute 3 cups of beef stock, 1 1/2 cups water and 3 Tablespoons of fish sauce. Combine and bring to a boil. Pour over noodles and sliced beef.
*If you do not have a crock pot, you can simmer the bones on the stove, cool, place in fridge overnight, and continue simmering the following day.
**If you refrigerate the stock a hard, thick layer of fat will form on the top. Use a fork to scoop off the top layer of fat before preparing the soup.
More easy soup recipes
- Ham, Black Eyed Pea, and Potato Crock Pot Soup
- Chicken and Parsnip Soup
- Vegetarian Black Bean and Kale Soup
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Susie says
I love pho and it’s everywhere in Seattle. Although to be fair it rains all the time here so we have the perfect weather for pho. 🙂 I’m totally going to have to try and make my own this looks so good I totally want some now.
Jesica @ Pencil Kitchen says
I have never thought of making homemade pho… the soup takes so much hardwork! nicely done!
Lisa Fountain says
Lovely pictures! If you don’t have a mandoline or the hour to freeze the beef, just buy some very good quality, very thinly sliced (shaved, even), very rare roast beef from the deli counter. Whole Foods roasts their own in-house, and I use their beef in my homemade pho when I want it more quickly. Just FYI!
lena vo says
I’m from vietnam. My mother cooking this for us (Family). I really like it.
Thomas Nguyen says
PHO
Let’s go eat pho today
It tastes so good both day and night
Pho is the soup I like
I can eat it two times a day
I don’t care what you say
Vietnamese food’s the way to go
MInh says
no Pho water dark like this. This Pho is made from people from the south of Vietname. Pho is originated from Hanoi- north of vietnam！ we have clear water and do not put bean sprouts into pho. Dont ruin Hanoi traditional dish